Rugby: New Tui eyes Black Ferns berth

Hawke's Bay Tuis rugby lock Hanna Brough on the job as a physio for Cape Physio in Hastings. Photo/Warren Buckland

IT'S fair to say Hawke's Bay Tuis coach Steve Woods has recruited well.

In three-time world champion former Black Ferns halfback Emma Jensen, who will travel from Auckland to play for her home province, he's got an inside back with plenty of experience. In former Counties-Manukau lock-loosie and Farah Palmer Cup winner Hanna Brough he's got a player with potential Black Fern written all over her.

Hanna Brough?

For those not in the know Brough, a physio with Cape Physio in Hastings, is in her first season with the Hastings Rugby and Sports Club. Before coming to the Bay Brough, 22, had 31 first class games for the Counties-Manukau Heat over four seasons including 2016 when they tasted Farah Palmer Cup glory.

"Hanna is an outstanding lineout forward who can play lock or six and she has got wheels," Woods said.

Brough has made no secret of the fact she wants to use the Tuis campaign as a springboard to Black Ferns selection.

"There's a few things I need to be able to do. I have to show what I've got in the Farah Palmer Cup," Brough said on the eve of today's first pre-season outing against Taranaki in Ashhurst.

"You never know when somebody might be watching you."

A 100 metre hurdles, triple jump and high jump champion during her days at Tuakau College in South Auckland, Brough, was a regular bronze medal winner at national secondary school athletics championships.

"There were never any golds. That's why helping the Heat win the Farah Palmer Cup was pretty special," Brough recalled.

The former Ardmore Marist club player who started in all eight of the second placed Heat's games last year enjoyed her first season with the Hastings club which included a one point loss to eventual unbeaten champions Clive when Jensen turned out for the Elwood Park club.

"That was a really good game against Clive. There's lots of potential for next year. There are a few experienced players and a few young girls coming from school rugby trying to further themselves."

Brough pointed out the gap between secondary school and club play can be hard to transition as she discovered.

"It's different for males who can leave school and go to colts or weight grades before premier level. For females we have to go straight from school to premier women's grade."

She is impressed with the potential within the Tuis squad.

"There are lots of young girls and everyone is keen to play. From what I hear there is a more positive outlook than what there has been in previous seasons. Hopefully there will be a good culture."

Brough, like her Tuis teammates, knows little about the Taranaki outfit they will face from 1pm today at Lincoln Park.

"It's their first time in the Farah Palmer Cup for a while. They won't have entered a team to come last and they will be keen to compete well."

When Brough isn't playing or training for rugby she will more than likely be found training for or playing netball. She plays centre for HHSOG Huias who took on Hastings Girls High School Senior A in the playoff for seventh in the Hawke's Bay Super 8 comp last night.

■TUIS: Shaylee Tipiwai, Kaitlin Bates, Te Maari MacGregor, Danielle Pomare-MacKay, Lara Kendrick, Amy Williams, Emma Jensen, Gemma Woods, Chanel Huddleston, Ra Mason, Rebekah Hurae, Hanna Brough, Jamie Heather, Jessie Taueki, Natalie Cotton.
Substitutes: Turuhira McIlroy, Helen McGregor, Kara Huata, Davina Winiata, Jasmine Taukamo-Apiata, Kathleen Brown, Yarnisae Whaitiri, Laurae Blake, Hailey Baker.